KDE-DPAHL-SP Design Validation Testing

KDE Direct has always had a strong commitment to quality engineered products and listening to customer feedback. With these two principles, KDE is designing larger and more powerful motors for a market that needs more thrust and ever-increasing reliability. Behind this movement, KDE is also designing and testing new propeller adapters to pair with our newest 35.5x12.1” propeller. Designed for strength and durability, the single-piece, aerospace-grade Al-7075, dual folding propeller adapter provides the convenience for reducing your UAV footprint during transportation and storage.

KDE Direct’s engineering team started with the principle design of our current folding propeller design and combined parts to increase strength and minimize failure points. Using finite element analysis (FEA) to validate the design, KDE placed the adapter inside an Instron tensile test machine using VOC analysis to validate the FEA results. This process involves a painting process that two cameras are able to reference for deflections during testing to provide a strain map of components. The criteria for success was minimum deflection and no yield failure at double the max expected static loading. Static loading is defined in this case as the max static thrust forces the propellers generate and the resultant force acting on the propeller adapter. The propeller adapter passed the initial criteria and went on to survive 10X the max loading force expected before the testing jig failed. The propeller adapter and blades will soon be available at www.KDEDirect.com along with the new motor the KDE13218XF-105.

Contact KDE Direct (sales@kdedirect.com) for design inquiries and more information about our custom product capabilities.